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Groovy Bojangles Beach Pants!

With these Bojangles Beach Pants, it’s the details! First, the obvious: the pattern. It is so unique and crazy! A mix of bright, eye-catching colors mixed with deep purple and black. Then up the side there is a long line of a deep, wine-like purple with brown wooden buttons. The mixture of black and brown on these pants make it so that you can wear them with anything! The lace lining the bottom of the legs is the same deep purple. I was worried these pants would be too long for me (I am 5’2″) and they were. But I could easily roll the waist band over to achieve the desired length. That is a big plus! The material is light and airy which is perfect for summer beaches or nights out.

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Feelin’ the music from my head to my toes…literally! 

And who could forget the little jingle bells?? Yes, they actually jingle when you walk! I have never seen anything like it! It inspired me to wear them out to one of my gigs. I sing (and play tambourine) in a classic rock cover band. The cute little bells reminded me of my tambourine, and the thought of using my legs as another instrument excited me. Plus, these pants are so GROOVY! Nothing else in my closest is this worthy of wearing while singing Led Zeppelin. Perfect for playing tambourine and dancing during “Soul Man” by the Blue’s Brothers. And when I hit that cowbell during “Gimme Three Steps” I feel very much in character. Oh, and I don’t get too hot when I’m grooving in them. Best worn with boots, platforms if you have them!!!

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Feelin’ the groove with funky patterned pants that jingle!
“He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick all across the cell

He grabbed his pants for a better stance, oh, he jumped so high and he clicked up his heel

He let go laugh, he let go laugh, shook back his clothes all aroun

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance, yeah, dance.”

Rock on,
Kirbie

The Bojangles Beach Pants were also featured in Soul Flower’s Summer Bliss Lookbook, if you want to check out more style possibilities! 🙂

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Utopia Tapestry Pants

Vacationing in a tropical purple paradise, that’s what these pants do for me! The ornate design of the Be Striped Tree Tapestry has been a soul-flower favorite for quite some time and if you love the look of the tapestry like I do, you’ll love these pants, too! How smart are they, aye? I mean, when something is a SF  favorite, why not make it available in another form? Ok, pants please! Walla! So, when I get the urge for a getaway, I throw these purple tapestry pants on and utopia awaits me!

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Purples aplenty! 🙂

It’s easy to see that these pants will trip the purple lovers radar!! My undying love for the color had me practically salivating over these pretty purple pantalones!!

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Utopia Tapestry Pants

Even the lovely Jacqui from Soul-Flowers noted on my invoice, “More purple for you, Woo!”  Yes, it’s a fact, where there is purple clothing to be discovered…there I’ll be!   And I do believe that these purple puppies are pajama pants in disguise! Yes they are tapestry but they don’t fail at being completely cozy and fun to wear. It’s also kinda neat that they are fun yet dressy enough for work. I find by slipping into this utopia a day at a job can magically be transformed into a fantasy land of purple play for the day!

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These pants have the same print as the five star favorite Be Striped Tree Tapestry!

The only dilemma I had when choosing these purple pretties was size. I wanted to make sure I got enough length. Sometimes worldly clothing runs a lil’ funky so I decided on the medium for my 5’5” frame. They are great! Not too short, too long, too tight, or too baggy. The elastic tie waist is nice and stretchy; the overall cut is beautiful and flattering with a slight flare at the bottom of the leg. I hand wash most things that are ornate or delicate which is recommended on the tag for these anyway. They have a great weight and are nicely lined, too. Can’t forget these are fair trade and made in Nepal, giving me a warm fuzzy feeling about my totally cool purpley pants!! A great addition to my plethora of purple!!

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Clothing that Represents Change

This Organic Robin Hoody Tunic is more than just a comfortable tunic in a beautiful color. This piece of clothing represents change, and a step in the right direction taken by people who not only have a desire to make the planet better, but who take initiative and make it happen!

Buds, I’m grateful to have a store like soul-flower.com to provide me with wonderful brands like Earth Creations. This company makes their clothing with sustainable fabrics, such as organic hemp and cotton. Feel better and healthier knowing that your garment is free of any pesticides that could harm you or mother earth’s water sources. When it comes to dyes, no worries here; natural dyes (like clay) and low impact dyes are used instead of the usual toxic dyes and contaminating salt found in “conventional” clothing.
And another bonus is that this company supports made in the USA.

Jammin’ out to Scarlet Begonias – Sublime & Grateful Dead Cover in my Organic Robin Hoody Tunic!

This hemp tunic in particular is lovely. In addition to being guilt free it is so cute and comfortable. It has pockets, a hood, and long sleeves to keep you warm on those cold days (and at the same time, you don’t get overbearingly hot!). The cool buttons and details make it a stylish piece. Go for this tunic and support two awesome companies while looking great!

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Hippie Burlesque Skirt : Live in the Moment

I feel like I can’t get enough apples this fall, you would think after spending the last few weeks drying bushels of apples, making cinnamon apples, and pies I would have had my fill of apples for the year. But after getting the Hippie Burlesque Organic Skirt all I can think of are caramel apples. Luckily I still have a little basket of apples, and a bag of caramels.

 

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Hippie Burlesque Organic Skirt

When you think of fall do you think of food? I can’t stop dreaming of cinnamon doughnuts, hot cocoa, pumpkin pie, peppermint ice cream, all those seasonal special treats. That’s how I think fall should be special, its seasonal, its unique, its beautiful and it comes and goes too fast. Its fleeting, if you don’t take a minute to sit down, play in the leaves, smell the campfire, and pick some apples, they will be gone before you know it. Its a challenge, to live in the moment, and breathe it all in.

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It’s a challenge to live in the moment and breathe it all in

Fall officially feels like it has arrived, I love the seasons, I love the holidays, the family, the food, and I love the clothes. I love layering, mixing and playing with darker colors, I love leggings, sweaters, and boots. Looking over the Soul-Flower fall catalog, I was so inspired by the layering, the gloves, hats, and leggings, that I had to create an outfit that had the same details, I think any color leggings are perfect under dresses or skirts, I wear them as the warmest tights, they make any outfit ready for the chilly weather. I also love layering knits, they are so easy and cozy, you feel ready to take on the cold weather, and explore.

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This organic skirt is perfect for fall and winter because it looks great with warm layers

I love my new Hippie Burlesque Organic Skirt the color is so rich, it reminds me of warm apple cider, cranberry sauce  red velvet cake with a bit of egg nog, its like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all rolled into one. This skirt will be my go to piece this fall, it fits into whatever i’m doing, its flexible, comfy, and has a bit of that holiday spirit I live for. Bring on the leaves, bring on the snow!

I am ready to soak up the season.
Heather

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Handmade Paisley Hat

Fall. A season like no other here in Iowa. I wait all year just to shoot photos and paint images of the colorful variations in the rolling hills. Equally as marvelous is to simply roam around admiring the beautiful multi-colored swirls in a single leaf. Life is changing all around. Hues of yellowy golds, reds, rust and copper are rushing in and they are simply breath taking! How interesting are trees anyway? Their ability to begin conserving energy for the long winter ahead – triggering their leaves to turn these amazing shades before they “fall”. Fascinating really, just another living organism going through their own cycles in life, just like us.


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Heart the side bow!
While the cycle of falls outdoor color has me thrilled to no end, there’s another cycle brewing in my closet! Time to change my wardrobe! It’s a joyous process really, getting to break out warmer clothing I had forgotten I owned (like my ol’ Soul-Flower winter favs) and even making a few trips to recycle warm items someone else can enjoy. This seasonal change also means adding some new things into the mix and getting to wear more layers, jackets, boots and hats. YES, HATS! I love hats, but only really great fitting ones and yeppers the Soul-Flowers new Sixpence Paisley Hatis in that group! It is the bees knees! This hat is perfect for fall and for my love of it’s warm colors which are all gathered together by pretty paisley designs. The Sixpence Paisley blends in perfectly with all the outdoor scenery and I now get to enjoy wearing the colors I enjoy see everywhere!  

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It seriously goes with everything!
 The features on this years hat model includes a super cute little green/blue bow and soft velvety fabric that make it perfect for wearing with dressier duds. Just the same the relaxed style of the Sixpence Paisley keeps it laid back and chill enough for casualdays. I‘ve realized in my hat quest that NOT all are created equal and have come cross many a hat that fail to look or fit “right” once on my head but I’m quite convinced that this handmade style is a good fit for anyone! The little miss sixpence is also really fun to wear when you add your own style flare! I like to wear mine with the brim just a tad off to the right side combined with a little forward tilt. So, if you’re a hat wearer, need a hat for the occasional bad hair day or just want to try something new, this hat’s for you!

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Sixpence Paisley Hat, handmade in the USA
Hats off to ya,
Woo

P.S. I’ve had so many people come up and ask me about this hat – moms for themselves and their daughters, grandmothers and even guys for their gals! They all agree – great style, cool fit and of course unique colors and pattern! So, get it while you can…I’m just sayin! 🙂

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Walkin’ On Sunshine & Feeling Good

 

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Walkin on Sunshine Eco Hoody

When the air starts to get crisp and the warmth of the sun begins to fade, its a Soul-Flower hoody I reach for! This past weekend I put my newest member to the test. It’s great to have a free day and my meandering Saturday landed me in a touristy area full of shops, an old train and way cool outdoor art! Of course my Walkin’ on Sunshine hoody accompanied me. I started the morning with it wrapped around my waste, by afternoon I was delighted to put it on and by sunset I was zipped up and hooded! Perfect fall day progression! 🙂

I ordered the small, it’s a great fit with room for a t-shirt or two underneath. It’s a great cut, a little more length in the torso (a plus) and a good (not too long not to short) length to the sleeves. I love the purpley, fuchsia color to pieces! Ya know, whatever goes into these sweatshirt creations, (the particular way they are designed/made), I hope that mold never breaks! The sweatshirt hoodies from SF are truly some of the cutest, softest, greatest fitting hoodies I’ve found. I’m in total comfort wearing one and as far as I can see, (in a world according to hoodies), nothing else fits quite to a T!

Now about that sun!! I really dig the design of the large orangey/yellow sun decal on back and the awesome saying. It got me thinking about great sun inspired saying and lyrics and just then, I came across a John Lennon painted wall i.e. ” Here Comes the Sun.” It was Kismet! Can we ever get enough of that glorious 4.6 billion year old, life giving fire ball? Not a chance!

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I really dig the design! 

Adding Walkin’ on Sunshine to my hoody roster has been fun and even entertaining! You’ll find yourself singing Katrina and The Waves lyrics every time you wear it! Strangely, it seems to inspire people around you to do the same. Which is pretty cool, really. Like spreading a little cheer and sunshine every where you go! I think maybe this Walkin’ on Sunshine SF hoody has been cleverly engineered to impact the world positively by that very thing…bringing smile and song to everyone! An uplifting message like “Walkin’ on Sunshine”,  the use of recycled plastic and organic cotton...heck we are well on our way to making this world an even brighter, sing-a-long kind of place! YAY!

Sing! Sing out loud!
~ Woo

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Soul Flower’s Fall/Winter Catalog in the Works!

Hey Buds,

Here’s a tiny sneak peek into what’s been going on behind the scenes here at Soul Flower.

 

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Playing with hair and makeup
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Snapping pics of them poses
We’ve been working hard and having fun – before you know it, October will be here and a new catalog will at your door!
So EXCITED! 🙂
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Eating a picnic lunch among Segway tours …yup, those exist 😉

Peace!
Your buds at Soul Flower

 

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Sunrise Surprise Halter Tank Is On Sale!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but where I live it has been soooo HOT! The only thing you can do in this kind of weather is go to the pool with an umbrella and some sunscreen (spf 100 if you’re as fair skinned as me!)

But the heat brings another problem; clothes! When it’s as hot as it is in the middle of Summer, you have to have something that is made out of thin, cool fabric and is still cute at the same time. Soul Flowers Sunrise Suprise halter top is exactly what you need! It comes in bright, eye-catching yellow and orange hues with a splash of red. The halter top allows your back and shoulders to breathe free from any fabric, and it looks super cute! It is great to wear alone, or over your bathing suit.

Plus, it’s fair trade! And on SALE! 

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Was $24 now it’s $18 
So get it while you can and enjoy the rest of your summer! 🙂

Love,
Your Bud Kirbie

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Hemp History Week – Legalize Hemp

This week, June 4-10, is Hemp History Week! Hemp is an environmentally sustainable plant that can be used in a multitude of earth-friendly ways. Here at Soul Flower we believe this miracle plant Industrial Hemp is something that should be legalized to be grown in the USA. It can do so much, including Hemp Clothing, Hemp Accessories, Hemp Food and Medicine!

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Via: Dispelling Myths About Hemp

Hemp clothing, such as these stylish pieces, are a smart, eco-friendly choice. Hemp uses less resources, such as land and water, and unlike many other plants, hemp actually revitalizes the soil as it grows.  It’s also insanely durable, and is known to have three times the strength of cotton fibers!  And, did you know, hemp is UV and mold resistant? Yeah, it’s a pretty versatile, beneficial and amazing plant!  The environmental benefits of hemp go far beyond what I’ve listed above…if I get into it all now, this blog post would never end! 😉

If you are unfamiliar with hemp, the official Hemp History site is a great place to read up. They have info on the many ways hemp can be used, why it’s beneficial, and clears up the misconception about hemp and cannabis being one and the same; hemp is NOT a drug.

They also have great information on the history of hemp (of course!) which includes a helpful timeline. Did you know that in 1942 Henry Ford made an experimental car door using hemp fibers, which turned out to be ten times stronger than steel! I didn’t. Learning something new everyday here! 🙂

Happy Hemp Week, Buds! 

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Instant Karma Embroidered Bag = Instant Love

Before this Instant Karma bag, I shudder to think what transpired daily my dears. From my mouth I uttered “where’s my darn phone?!”, too many times to count.  My friends’ response was always the same “Check your bag!” My response to their response would be “Already looked there!” And their response to my second response would be, “Check again!” Meanwhile, (in complete frustration) I had frantically torn my place apart. Then after having called out search teams in a 200 miles radius, I would decide to look in my bag just one more time. Low and behold there my phone would be, exactly where it had been the whole time, at the bottom on my enormously huge shapeless, compartment-less bag.

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Instant Karma Bag = Instant Love

So, it is due to this daily saga that I finally realized it was time for a new bag, a different kind of bag. One with a more functional inside, a zipped area for odds & ends, a cell phone compartment and a better shaped form so that I don’t have to use x-ray vision to see what’s lurking way, way down in the hidden crevasses! Now, I do far less stuffing, tossing & searching and much more putting, placing & finding. 🙂

Although this could be my sole reason for wanting the Karma bag, with one look you’ll know that its pretties grabbed my attention just as much! With an adorable patterned lining and beautiful embellishments, this canvas bag was made for a gypsy queen! A great look for any day and tons (TONS I say) of roominess when you need it in a cubed kind of way! Why just the other day I put a sweatshirt, a hat, four recycling grocery bags, three books, a wallet, a phone, a makeup bag, sunglasses and still had room for more! Yet to my surprise there was an even bigger, better, more amazing quality to this bag then I had known. The Instant Karma bag is giving back in a big way. A portion of the profits from selling these bags go to organizations like Oceana, Sea Shepherds, Trees for the Future and the Environmental Defense Fund. So, buying this bag is helping to clean up beaches and help animals affected by environmental disasters. Here I thought I’d be elated just for getting a cell phone pouch in a beautiful one of a kind purse!

I am a happy woman, a happy woman with a new bag… a bag that betters the world. Now that’s instant karma!

Just be, Woo

 

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An Elephant Never Forgets

It is said that elephants never forget. Is this true? A better question may be: How would we know?? Did some perky pachyderm spill the beans one day? I don’t know, but that saying has stuck with me my whole life.

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Adrienne (our newest Karma Krewe member!) =)

My love for elephants began early in life, my mom and I used to visit Packy (a longtime resident) at the Portland Zoo when I was young. I remember eating a slice of a giant sized cake on Packy’s birthday in the early 80’s.

Another great time was when my dad took me on a camping tour of Oregon when I was about 7. On that trip I had the opportunity, at a wildlife park, to take a ride on an elephant. Being that up-close with such a magnificent creature really touched me. Feeling its rough, dry skin and gazing into those big, soulful eyes…well, I fell in love right then. I have had an ever-growing collection of elephant things since then. Everyone knows I love them and I get many as gifts.

That trip and those times with my parents are some of the greatest memories of my life. To me that’s what “elephants never forget” means – it reminds me to never forget the special times in life. I hold on tight to remembrances of my past. I can taste my Grandma Rosie’s famous strawberry jam and can still feel the wind from riding with my Grandpa Jack in his ’64 Mustang convertible to the old country store for ice cream. Many long summer afternoons were spent with my cousins running around the hills of Astoria, building forts in the woods of my grandparents’ property, and hitting the arcade & beach in Seaside.

One summer I drove cross-country with my grandparents and met many of my distant relatives in the tiniest town of Birchtree, Missouri. I got to see the cabin my Grandfather was born in and the schoolhouse he attended. I remember how hot it was that summer and the endless hours of AM country radio as my Grandma sang along.  Another great trip was when my family moved from Oregon to Michigan the summer I was twelve; many fun memories were made on that long drive, the best being when we took old-timey photos in Wyoming.

For me these memories are magical, a glimpse into the happiest and most carefree days of my life.  They keep me focused on my family and remind me that the most important things surround me every day…my home, husband, children, family and community.  Now that I’m a parent I am very aware that every day we are creating these same sacred memories for my children. Extraordinary moments in an ordinary day can be the most special times of all. I remind myself often that “elephants never forget” and neither will I. I keep my life and heart open to accept the gifts offered to us every day.

Wearing my wonderful clothes from Soul Flower keeps me in a positive, grounded state of mind and reminds me to live comfortably, naturally and with a conscience. These are the days that will stick with me forever. I choose to live with moxie and style and make the most of every day!

As the seasons are changing and the sun is warming the Earth, I encourage everyone to pause for a moment each day and appreciate the memories you are making. Share a moment with someone special – dance in the rain, splash in a puddle, take joy in the small moments in life and by all means, live like an elephant and Never Forget!

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Freedom Never Felt So Good!

I love to be able to move around: dance, do yoga, play, sit on the floor at a dinner party… and I don’t want my clothes to hinder me.  At the same time, I don’t want clothes that are so loose as to get in the way or are boxy; besides, my husband will complain if my clothes are too baggy.  These pants are the perfect combination of loose, fun, and free, while accentuating the female figure. They hug the butt and hips just a bit without being too tight, and then the legs of the pants flow and dance around with freedom and sass.  Wearing these pants feels like wearing a flowy skirt that twirls and a pair of pants at the same time!

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The tiers of heavy-duty 100% cotton fabric wave over each other to create a cool effect that’s fun to look at and to experience.  Instead of the pants feeling big and clumsy, the pants are put together just right so that the fabric never gets in the way.  The cotton is also somewhat stretchy, so that the pants will stretch a bit if they are a little snug in the butt and hips.  However, it’s not super stretchy, so choose your size accordingly.  I am 5’3″-5’4″, have 35.5″ hips, 32″ low waist, and a 29″ inseam, and the smalls fit just right with no extra room.  I am thrilled about the length since I have trouble finding pants that aren’t too long for me.  I have been tying them around the tops of my hipbones; and I probably could wear a medium too, and then I’d tie them up higher.

Since the cotton is heavy duty, the pants are nice and warm, but not too much so.  I wore them outside on a cold winter day and inside at a dinner party and was comfortable both times.  I’ve also added long johns underneath.  Since cotton is breathable, they’d also be great on a cool summer day or evening as well.

You can’t go wrong with the earthy color choices that the pants come in.  I got the brown and they go with almost anything.  You can match them with other earth colors or wear something bright for contrast, and it still looks good.  These pants do steal the show though, so be sure and let them have center stage!

Another wonderful thing about these pants is that you can go anywhere in them.  They look great dressed up for a show or a party.  They’re super fun and comfortable to dance in!  They have this cute little hip hugger tie that ties around the hips and make me feel like a belly dancer, which encourages me to shake those hips!  They’re also great if you have an office job where you need to look kinda dressy, but you want to maintain your funkiness and feel comfortable.  They’d also be great for going to class since they’re so comfortable; and then they transition well to the pub after.  They’re also super fun and easy to do yoga in and they’d be great for belly dancing and hooping as well.  

One of the many reasons that I love Soulflower is that it is a company run with consciousness—of the environment, of human relations, and of art.  The Waves of Freedom pants are fair trade from Nepal, and they are a true work of art that will accentuate the artistry of every wearer.  

To celebrate the art that is you, I’ve put together a playful standing pose sequence—play with me at http://www.yogaventures.blogspot.com

Peace!

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Purple Aplenty: Astral Skies Patchwork Dress

First, I’m a purple lover! If it contains even the slightest hint of it, tastes grapey, smells like lilacs, is a tune by the great purple Prince or resembles a big kid lovin’ dinosaur, it’s safe to say imma be like’n it! That was my first pull toward the Astral Skies Patchwork Dress. Purple variations o-plenty going on here! Vivid violet, mild maroon and night sky blue to (nick) name a few and all with a slightly muted pre-wash fade. Gorgeous colors and a nice weight for the cooler months!

The second gotta-have-me was the patchwork! Sewn together with neat-o exposed stitching gives this dress really great texture! I’ve been an admirer of patchwork since the days of my grandmothers hand sewn blankets. Using left over fabric from various projects she would carefully pick just the right collection of pieces to create each blanket. I acquired many of them through the years but every Christmas I looked forward to the next just to see the designs and color pallet she had chosen.

Third, the Astral Skies unique look! I like seeing the variations in each patch and beyond that, knowing every Astral Skies dress out there is doin’ its own thing! The little bleached spots sprinkled throughout this dress remind me of snowflakes and stars. As if I’m looking up while they fall towards me from a pretty purpley patchwork sky.And just as no two snowflakes or stars or grandmothers blankets were ever the same, the Astral Skies dress can claim that too! It’s in these variations, the way each piece is chosen, cut and placed that brings theone of a kindcreation together. How very far out of each Astral Skies Dress to have its own vibe. We all have ours, seems fitting that our clothes should too.

Peace to you all! May your new year be filled with love and kindness.

~Woo

P.S. I’m looking forward to wearing this soft-n-comfy dress for the holidays! Maybe my nephew can count the snowflakes and stars? At three, I bet he’d be up for that!

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Restoring a True Travel Happy Bus

Owning a Volkwagen bus, the iconic ‘hippie bus’, is a blast, buds! I own four, a ’79 Bay & a ’67 Kombi will be the ones I keep, but I also have another Bay & another Kombi as parts buses. Basically, I operate on a happy hippie bus vibe. It’s a good place to be.

One thing I can tell you about having a Vw bus… everybody has a story to share of a bus they owned, or someone they know owned, and those stories are usually a hoot to hear. Mainly because Vw buses are finicky little creatures with distinct personalities and particulars. It’s always an adventure in a Vw bus! Another thing is that Vw owners are one eclectic group of peeps. I’ve been introduced to some really flipped-out characters along the way. There’s a strong possibility I’m a flipped-out character myself 😉

If owning a bus is a labor of love, restoring one is a test of endurance. I’ve been working on my ’79 Bay for almost two years. I wanted to be part of the entire restoration. My hands have sanded every square inch of my bus. I was part of the engine removal from my parts Bay. See, that sounds easy enough, but what it really means is that I was crawling all around underneath it and even jumping up and down on a crowbar at one point! I’ve been greasy and I’ve been tired, but I am still in love with that bus.

That’s why the Travel Happy Bus tee is perfect for me! When it popped up on the New! tab, I just laughed out loud. Soul Flower, you just get me….you really do. The tee is made from organic cotton, which makes me happy. It is a soft tee and feels great when you’re wearing it. The color is natural, not a bright white. And, just like the real thing, the Happy (hippie) Bus tee is a conversation starter. People smile when they see you wearing it and they want to know where you got it!

If you’ve caught the bus vibe and just have to have one of your own, my advice to you is to check out Craigslist and the mecca of all things Vw…thesamba.com. Come on and take a free ride, buds! Peace!!

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The Strength to Be Yourself

Hey Buds, here’s a thought:

Be yourself.

Easy enough to read and remind ourselves, but how many of us actually live it?

New school year, new apartment, new classes, all opportunities to reinvent myself; who will I be this year? Do I even want to create a new persona? Everyone at some point in their lives has used different circumstances to create a new version of themselves, yet, do any of us truly have a grasp on who we are?

Let’s take my love affair with fashion, for example. Since middle school I’ve been flipping through pages of Vogue getting ideas for the next day’s outfit. I wore some crazy-wild-things trying to translate what I saw on the runway to my school’s hallway. Sure, I got some stares and snickers but most of the time I got compliments, some for the outfit and some for the guts to where it when anyone who wasn’t wearing jeans and a tee was fair game to poke fun at. I even saw some girls wearing the same outfit I had worn the day before. I used each day as an opportunity to experiment and reinvent the way people saw me through bold attire. Through the years, I’ve kept the boldness and tried to translate it into every aspect of my life.

In high school, it was very…hmm, how should I say this…interesting going to a private school in South Orange County, California. I pride myself on being Latina and of Native American descent, and I never expected to be in an environment where diversity was at an all-time low. My freshman year some seniors decided it would be funny to yell across the PE field that all I would ever amount to was a maid, given my background, and that their rooms had better be clean before they got home. I didn’t care that these “young men” (who had a lot of growing up to do) were at the top of the social ladder, I gave them a piece of my mind and confronted the Dean of Students. “Is this really the perspective you’re allowing your students to graduate with?” Apologies and conferences ensued, but all I wanted to do is show my peers that I wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed of who I am or where I came from.

It wasn’t until college that I learned that I didn’t have to create a new persona every day, like in middle school, and that being myself – an insane mix of qualities – could be attractive. I owned up to my craziness, or as I like to call it eccentricity, and the more I acknowledged my little quirks the more confident I became.

Now, I take pride in my Latina curves and my insatiable appetite for clothes. I know that I learn through creative processes and doodling next to my notes, making songs, and listening to classical music help me do better on my tests. I know that I love learning and I’ll never satisfy my need to ask Why. I know that I love Elvis and John Lennon, even though those two did not see eye to eye. I know my values include peace, respect, and an overall love for our small fragile planet and those living on it. I believe that individually we can make a huge impact and together we can change the world.

And I know that having the strength to “be yourself” gives you strength to stand up for what you believe.

This shirt is a little reminder that there are a lot of phonies out there and if everyone’s acting fake the real one’s are the individuals. So put on those colorful tights, wear your “Save Japan Dolphins” tee, write that controversial article, and sign that petition. Yeah, people will smirk and snicker but more importantly people will see you as an example, strong and confident, and no one can take that away from you.

Mahalo,

Lauren

 

 

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Showing Off Soul Flower’s Peacock Pride

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With their stunning, bright coloration, and love for the limelight, peacocks have earned themselves a fame they’ve worked hard for. Different cultures view the peacock differently, but overall the regal bird is a symbol for soul mates, beauty, and mysticism. In Buddhism, the peacock’s fan of “eyes” symbolize wisdom, and openness because of their widespread tail. While in Christianity, the peacock goes hand-in-hand with immortality, since they’re believed to ingest poisonous plants with no ill effects. And, to top it all off, peacocks are India’s sacred National Bird.

On the negative side, peacocks have their pride and vanity, but, hey, we all need to strut our stuff sometimes!

So perhaps it’s not too curious that we’ve filled Soul Flower with an insane amount of them! However, since peacocks aren’t one for being hidden away in a warehouse, we figured we ought to give them a chance to do what they do best:

SHOW OFF !

This long sleeve, swoop-neck tee comes in charcoal, ocean or electric, and each color knows how to grab a compliment. The design isn’t limited to only the front, which means this peacock is strutting its feathers no matter which way you turn! And if you prefer short sleeves, we have just the thing for you, too! Our Birds of a Feather Tee definitely shows off the regal, spiritual side of our feathered friend.

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Sanganeer Circle Tapestry 

But when a girl really, really, wants to show off, there’s nothing quite like a cute peacock dress! Fortunately, we have more than one to choose from, and for representing the same symbol; these two dresses are very different from each other. What they do have in common is a flirtatious charm that’s hard to ignore.

Our most popular peacock picks here at Soul Flower would have to be our accessories. The regal peacock earrings and hairclip both know how to wow a crowd; they’re definite show stoppers! Their skill for inspiring adoration is probably due to the fact that they truly are peacock feathers!

We here at Soul Flower figure we mind as well take a blatant hint from our friend, the peacock, and start adding some extra flirty color and pizzazz to our summer – at least it wouldn’t hurt their peacock pride if we did. 😉

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Our Latest Birds of a Feather Messenger Bag

 

In fact, Soul Flower has another pretty peacock coming SOON!! So be on the lookout! Little hint: It wraps around your neck. Oh, the mystery! 😉

Have you donned any of these feathery fashions, or are you hoping to? Feel free to tell us about it, we love hearing from you!

Love & Happiness,
Jacqueline Lee

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American Beauty

Soul Flower’s July Collection: American Beauty is rather eclectic and really highlights our affinity towards the unique and the handcrafted. Three things about our latest products have us all excited: many of them are upcycled, most of them are artsy, and all of them are USA made! What we’re offering isn’t just another outfit to wear; these pieces are worthy of respect!

Our new jewelry is truly a work of art! Each piece is handcrafted by our bud, Tamara. Made with polymer clay and acrylic paint, each design is made from a lovingly hand carved stamp. Plus, each one is slightly unique due to the random nature of distressing. For certain, they are one of a kind, which makes them even more want-worthy than usual! Especially our Out on a Limb Necklace – We’ve never seen another necklace quite like it! The colors on both the rings and the necklace are extremely beautiful, and each piece has a tender symbolism that makes them the perfect gift for your loved one.

Upcycling can turn out some amazing results and our latest upcycled clothing is no exception! Once again, all three articles of clothing featured below were handmade with love by Sarah and her team – we’re extremely proud of our new duds! There’s just something about taking what another had no use for and turning it to something worthy of attention. One man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure (and no matter how many times you say that line, it’s still far from cliché!). Made out of thrifted mens denim shirts our Mexicali Blues Upcycled Denim Shirt has been given a second chance at having a night (hopefully several!) out on the town. Whereas the adorable My Boyfriend’s Shirt is made from blue striped men’s work shirts, that are transformed into something exclusive and sexy for the ladies. No two have the exact same blue strips, so your Boyfriend’s Shirt will be unlike every other! Then there’s the way stylish Ruffle Skirt, which is made from vintage fabric; what’s especially fun about this one, is that each one comes with a vintage men’s tie for a belt. So there’s a little bit of fun suspense added, wondering what your tie belt is going to look like!

Basically, the bonus of these new Soul Flower pieces is that they represent the USA independence and individuality we cherish so very much! Plus, you can’t complain about the good karma that comes from buying recycled and upcycled goods!

It’s also suiting that with the pride of July 4th we present, with equal enthusiasm, a July collection that’s a true American Beauty, which is why all of July’s newbies are made in the USA. What better way to celebrate Old Glory than by upholding and celebrating the hard working people of our homeland, and, moreover, by honoring the ways in which we can keep our lands healthy through upcycling and pure, good ol’ creativity? We hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend and that our latest American Beauties are still setting off fireworks for you! 😉

To American Style! To Independence! Rock On!

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